By William Payne
A person being one of a kind in a large group doesn’t happen too often. However, Mahomet’s John Howard clearly fit that description after accepting his most recent job.
When taking over for Lynn Schmit as Mahomet Public Library Director in November of 2018, Howard was a qualified individual to assume the position.
Howard studied Music Education and Business at Drake University, and started his career in fundraising with the Catholic Church. Due to his lifelong love for libraries, he eventually went back to school and received his Master’s Degree in Library Science.
Howard then began his new career at Farmington Area Public Library near Peoria, and made his way up to being the library director.
After his daughter began having grandchildren who were growing up around the Mahomet area, Howard and his family looked at a chance for him to work at a library in the community.
When the opportunity arose to become the director of Mahomet Public Library, he jumped at the chance, however there was an interesting situation regarding the position.
Howard was the first man to hold the library director position in Mahomet, as up until that point only women had been director. Along with this, every library director had been a member of the Mahomet Town and Country Women’s Club.
The club is a branch of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). Their goal is to volunteer for their community and provide financial support for different groups and individuals in the state. They also function as a social club and are active in the Village of Mahomet.
Shortly after being appointed library director, Howard not only became the sole man in the Women’s Club, but its first ever male member.
The Town and Country Women’s Club founded the Mahomet Library, and Howard was excited for the opportunity to continue on the historic legacy of the position.
“I went and talked to the club, and I said I would like to continue the tradition of the library director being a member of the club,” said Howard. “They checked their bylaws and could not find any rules against it. So I was proudly able to become the first male member of the club.”
Chris Bedford, the President of the Mahomet Town and Country Club, said there was a little hesitation from members of the club to admit Howard, but ultimately, they opted to let him in.
“We welcomed him with open arms,” said Bedford. “He has been a very valuable member of the club. Our bylaws do not specify you have to be a woman to enter the club, but traditionally that is how it has been. In speaking with the district president, there have been a number of clubs where their husbands have joined with their wives.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to a close in the community, local groups and organizations have begun meeting actively and in-person again, and the Women’s Town and Country Club is no exception. They have recently hosted their regional conference in April for women’s clubs all around the state.
The Women’s Club will be involved in the Mahomet Music Festival, the 4th of July parade in Seymour, and other social events throughout the summer. Their regular monthly meeting schedule will begin in the fall.
